US2238964A - Respirator - Google Patents

Description

N. K. BENOS April 22, 1941.

RESPIRA'IOR Filed Sept. 1, 1959 Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RESPIRATOR Nicholas K. Benos, Salt Lake City, Utah Application September 1, 1939, Serial No. 293,077

1 Claim.

My invention relates to respirators and has for its object to provide a new and improved mask for use in smelters and the like.

A further object is to provide a mask which may be used for dust, gas, or other undesirable conditions where men are required to work under trying circumstances and which mask has an ease of use and coolness to the face not found in most masks for the purposes.

A still further object is to provide a mask which may be used by smelter and mine workers where they work in high temperatures and encounter both gas and dust conditions, which mask may have the filter and air cooling chambers provided with suitable sponges, and being wet keeps the face of the wearer cooler and provide cold air for him to breathe.

These objects I accomplish with the device illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which similar numerals and letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views and as described in the specification forming a part of this application and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawing in which I have shown my mask,

Figure 1 is a face view thereof.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the mask part of the face cloth removed.

Figure 4 is a vertical section of the mask.

Figure 5 is a diametrical transverse section of one of the air filter and cooler casings enlarged over the other views of the drawing.

In the drawing I have shown my device as made of an elongated oval-shaped hollow body A, formed of rubber and having the rim which engages the face stiffened by an encompassing flange 5. This body A is formed with the upper area 6 forming the nose area, and the lower broader area 1, the mouth area. Transversely across the bottom area of the body A there is a chin strip 9 extending from side wall to side wall and adapted to engage the chin of the wearer just below the lower lip. This strip 9 holds the mask in proper position in relation to the mouth of the wearer and prevents excessive surface of r in engaging the face. One of the es being that the mask touches e wearer only around its perimeter ere is suflicient area surrounding the nose to give good brea chamber.

The bottom edge he body engages under the front surface offt chin, and the apex of the body at H engages the bridge of the nose with the sides of the flange 5 engaging the cheeks on each side of the mouth, thus providing a mask for the respiratory organs which does not cover an excessive area of the face of the wearer so that in hot furnaces and around smelters where there is excessive heat, he is not troubled by the perspiration over his entire face as in the case of most similar masks.

A head strap B is attached to each side wall of the body A and is adapted to be engaged around the head of the wearer just below the ears holding the mask in firm fixed position on the head of the wearer. The strap ends are secured by snap fasteners l2 similar to those used on gloves, etc., by which the strap is detachably attached to the mask so that when the strap is worn out, new ones may be replaced. The strap is made preferably of rubber filled or elastic fabric.

On each side wall 13 of the broader area I of the body A I provide openings in which cylindrical inhalators C are mounted. These inhalators consist of casings l5 and I6 and are secured by riveting the inner end of a smaller diametered tubular portion l8 through the openings and to the wall I3 of the body A. The casings l5 and I6 are threaded to receive a removable like threaded closure l9 which closure is provided with perforations 20 through the face thereof.

Within the cover adjacent the perforated face, I then place a filter fabric 2| and within the cylinder casings l5 and I6, I place round rubber disks 22 which disks are made of sponge and will remove all dust and which rubber, being saturated with water or other solutions, removes all other impurities from the air.

Centrally through the lower portion of the broader area I I provide an exhaler tube 24, which tube extends beyond the front face of the mask and onto which there is placeda relief valve member 25. This valve member is preferably made of rubber with a tapered body merging into a flat top 28 and fiat bottom 29 and with the end 2! closed. Along one side of this tube on the end of the body 26 there is a slit which provides a valve which by action of the top- 28 and bottom 29 on the end of the body 26 spreading when air is exhaled by the user and constricting when air is inhaled by the user controls the air in the mask. With this type of control the air is exhaled without restraint and without it having to be forced around the sides of the mask.

A fabric face strip 3| is formed to fit the perimeter of the body A to take up moisture and odors and keep the edge of the mask clean. This strip is removable if desired.

The operation of the mask is as follows:

With the face strip over the flange 5, the mask is secured on the head by passing the head strap around the head just below the ears. This secures .the mask firmly over the bridge of the nose and down around each side of the mouth and slightly under the chin. When so secured all exterior air is excluded from the area within the mask body A. The user in inhaling draws all of the air through the filter and sponge rubber disks into the body A and when exhaling, the force of air opens the slits in the sides of the body 26 and the air escapes. As each breath is drawn in, the sides 28 and 29 are drawn together to prevent any air from entering the mask through the tubes 26 and 24.

Having thus described my invention I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim:

A mask-of the class described comprising, an oval-shaped body adapted to fit over the bridge of the nose and under the chin of the wearer;

a chin strap secured from edge to edge of said body to fit against the face of the chin and prevent the body of the mask from being pressed back against the features of the wearer; an exhaler tube mounted centrally at the front and lower side of the mask; a relief valve secured onto said tube, said valve having its end tapered down to form horizontal side walls with slots along each side thereof and with the end closed, said valve to extend forwardly from the body of the mask to prevent its coming into contact with the clothing or body of the wearer when his head is bent, said valve to permit exhaust of breath from the mask and prevent intake thereinto; air cleaner cylinders mounted on each side of the mask, said cylinders being small in diameter so that they will not engage the face of the wearer;

, a removable cover for said cleaners having its

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